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David Nicholson Reserve vs Old Forester 100 Proof
David Nicholson Reserve and Old Forester 100 Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | David Nicholson Reserve | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$26 – $32 ~$6 less |
- David Nicholson Reserve does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
David Nicholson Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
David Nicholson Reserve Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: David Nicholson Reserve 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: David Nicholson Reserve 5 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: David Nicholson Reserve 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- David Nicholson Reserve: The rye-recipe sibling to the 1843, with extra age. Toasty oak and rye spice give it more backbone, and the spice stays put through a long, warm finish.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with David Nicholson Reserve if you want a toasty, spicy, 100-proof value bourbon that stands up in cocktails.
- Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, rocks (David Nicholson Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).